With the Minnesota Vikings facing a pair of prolific offenses in the final two weeks of the 2012 season, they've gotten some very good news going into Sunday's contest against the Houston Texans.

Cornerback Chris Cook, who broke his forearm in the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in Week 8, has been activated and placed on the 53-man roster. Cook was placed on the injured reserve list with the new designation to return, and this week was the earliest that he could come back.

To make room for Cook on the 53-man roster, the Vikings waived OL Mark Asper and TE Allen Reisner. Asper, who the Vikings claimed off of waivers from the Buffalo Bills after the final cuts of the pre-season, had not been active for a game this season. Reisner was serving as the fourth tight end for most of the season (third tight end while John Carlson was out), and had just one reception for 13 yards this season.

The Vikings also moved defensive end George Johnson up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

No word yet on how much action Cook is going to see tomorrow, but with Andre Johnson and company bringing one of the NFL's best offenses into this game, it would be beneficial to the Vikings to get him as many snaps as he can handle. In any event, the Minnesota secondary has gotten a significant boost with this news.